Hold my own

Sometimes I feel that it is due to the respect that I have for people older than me, that keeps me from countering their points, statements and arguments. And this acts as a detrimental factor in me losing my credibility. I have this innate habit of showing respect to people.... I keep thinking of them as elders and hence I should not speak offensively or even aggressivel or even assertively to them. This is dis-respect to them, I feel. And sometimes they roll over me and fry me and I stand there - a meek spectator. This frustruating aspect of my irritating personality has permeated into my ability to deal with peers or even younger people now. I have lost my ability to hold my own... even with myself.